Fencing: 16-Year-Old Esiovwa-Thompson Eyes 2028 Olympics After Historic Commonwealth Gold

Posted : 11 August 2026

Sixteen-year-old Oghenegaren Esiovwa-Thompson has set his sights on representing Nigeria at the 2028 Olympic Games after making history by winning the country’s first-ever gold medal at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Lagos.

Esiovwa-Thompson produced a remarkable display to win the men’s Under-23 epee title at Rugby School Nigeria, Atlantic City, overcoming three Indian opponents on his way to the top of the podium.

The teenager capped his impressive campaign with a commanding 15-6 victory over India’s Asian champion Lokesh Vemani in the final to secure a landmark triumph for Nigerian fencing.

India’s Godwin Natarajan and Ashwini Shaurya completed the podium with bronze medals.

Esiovwa-Thompson’s route to the title began with an unbeaten run in Pool 4, which earned him top spot and a bye into the round of 16.

He continued his dominant performance by defeating South Africa’s Karabo Mathobela 15-7 before dispatching India’s Shivaansh Kapoor 15-2 in the quarterfinal.

Another Indian opponent, Ashwini Shaurya, awaited him in the semifinal, but the Nigerian maintained his composure to secure a 15-11 victory and book his place in the final.

Against Vemani, Esiovwa-Thompson delivered his finest performance of the competition, winning 15-6 to etch his name into Nigerian fencing history.

The victory was particularly significant for the teenager, who previously represented Great Britain before switching allegiance to Nigeria with the ambition of competing for the country at the Olympic Games.

“I want to represent Nigeria at the 2028 Olympics. So, that was the main factor in my decision to switch,” he said.

He added that having more family and friends in Nigeria also influenced his decision.

Reflecting on his historic triumph, Esiovwa-Thompson said winning on home soil in front of his family and Nigerian supporters made the achievement even more special.

“I’m very happy with what I did. A lot of training went into this, a lot of dedication, a lot of blood, sweat and tears,” he said.

The teenager admitted that he only fully appreciated the significance of his achievement shortly before the final.

He also described the reception from the home crowd as an unforgettable experience, saying the support gave him an atmosphere he had never experienced before in his fencing career.

His success has already generated excitement within Nigeria’s fencing community, with national team coach Alogba Ibrahim describing the gold medal as a major boost for the sport.

Ibrahim said the achievement had given Nigerian fencers a new source of inspiration, particularly athletes who had previously struggled to convert their potential into major international success.

“Seeing someone that can do that allows them to feel like they can do it also,” he said.

According to the coach, several athletes had already expressed renewed determination to commit themselves fully to fencing after witnessing Esiovwa-Thompson’s breakthrough.

“At this point, I am thinking everything is possible,” Ibrahim said.

He added that the teenager’s performance had also generated renewed interest in Nigeria’s fencing programme, with more elite athletes showing interest in joining the federation.

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Fencing Federation President Adeyinka Samuel described his emergence as the first African to head the body as a significant achievement for both Nigeria and the continent.

Samuel said his administration would focus on strengthening partnerships, improving the federation’s operations and ensuring greater inclusivity across Commonwealth fencing.

He also highlighted grassroots development as a priority, noting that the federation was working with schools to identify and nurture young talents.

According to him, stronger partnerships with equipment manufacturers would also help reduce the cost of fencing equipment and make the sport more accessible to aspiring athletes.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who declared the championship open, said hosting the event demonstrated the power of sports to unite people from different backgrounds.

Sanwo-Olu welcomed athletes and officials from Commonwealth countries to Lagos and assured them of the state government’s support.

“Sports is still one major thing that brings everybody together. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what your background is; sport is usually a unifier,” he said.

The governor urged the visiting athletes and officials to explore Lagos beyond the competition, describing the state as a city rich in culture, entertainment and hospitality.

The 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships have brought together fencers from Commonwealth countries to compete across various age categories and disciplines.

For Nigeria, Esiovwa-Thompson’s breakthrough has provided more than a historic medal. His performance has raised fresh hopes for the country’s fencing programme and given the sport a promising young ambassador with his eyes firmly fixed on the 2028 Olympics.

Fencing: 16-Year-Old Esiovwa-Thompson Eyes 2028 Olympics After Historic Commonwealth Gold

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